Research ethics committees began to be established in Poland in the 1980s due to increasing cooperation with western institutions. Ethical review was necessary if researchers wanted to publish results or indeed collaborate in international projects.

RECs obtained legal recognition under the Medical Profession Act of 1996. There was more specific legislation in a Decree by the Ministry of Health 1999, which gives principles of the establishment, funding and operation of RECs. A Decree from the Minister of Health that implements Directive 2001/20 came into effect in January 2003 and this gives further regulations concerning RECs.

For a clinical trial to proceed it must have REC approval, a permit from the Ministry of Health and be registered with the Central Register of Clinical Trials, based at the Ministry of Health.

There are 3 ethics committees that promote good conduct in science and educate through publications – based at the Academy of Sciences, Academy of Arts & Sciences and the State Committee for Research.

Poland has no Central Ethics Committee although the idea has been discussed several times in Parliament.